Seven Ways to Reduce Stress and Stay Organized When Buying a Home

 

Buying a home can be a nerve-wracking experience. Purchasing real estate counts as one of the most expensive financial transactions you’ll make. If you need to sell your current home, the process can become even more complicated and time-consuming.

 

There are two things that will help smooth the process. One is a top-notch real estate agent who guides you through every step of the process. If the agent offers local expertise and knowledge of the area where you want to buy, all the better. Stone House Properties agents fulfill both criteria. Our agents live and work in the Berkshires and have cultivated a thorough understanding of the region’s real estate market.

 

The second thing that will help you is planning and preparation. You can reduce stress and stay organized by following these homebuying tips.

 

Create a spreadsheet to document what you’re looking for in your new home. Of course you’ll include the basics, such as number of bedrooms and bathrooms, but take your thinking further than that. Do you want an open floor plan or separate rooms for kitchen, dining room, and living room? Do you need a home office? A media room? A walk-in shower? An attached garage?

 

You may have a good idea of what you want, but the point is to write it down. Documenting your homebuying priorities will save you time and effort. You’ll be able to share your priorities with your agent, who will then help you find the homes that include the features you want.

 

Stay organized by creating a moving checklist of all your to-do’s, from shopping for home insurance to hiring a moving company. We found two online that are ready to use:

 

Real Simple’s Moving Checklist We love Real Simple magazine for their practical advice, and this moving checklist is no exception.

 

Allstate’s Moving Guide: Checklists, Printables and Everything Else You Need to Organize Your Next Move This guide comes from Allstate Insurance.

 

 

According to a recent National Association of Realtors report, the typical homebuyer visits 10 homes over a period of 10 weeks before making a purchase. That number can vary widely, however. This article from Realtor.com cites one couple who looked at a whopping 63 homes. Once you start looking at homes, make your life easier by setting up a system to keep track of the homes you’ve viewed. Set up a file for hard copies of listing sheets and marketing materials. Use a spreadsheet to collect and save online links for the homes you’ve visited.

 

You’ll meet many real estate professionals as you search for a home: listing agents for open houses, mortgage lenders, and home inspectors, just to mention a few. Keep track of these contacts by collecting business cards or creating a spreadsheet with phone numbers and emails. Choose one system and stick with it. That way, everyone involved your home search will be able to access the information.

 

Educate yourself on the different types of mortgage loans. This Realtor.com article reviews six main types: fixed-rate, adjustable rate, Federal Housing Authority loan, USDA Rural Development loan, Veterans Administration loan, and bridge loans.

 

If you’re applying for a mortgage, you’ll need to know your credit score. This article from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau describes several ways you can obtain a credit score.

 

 

Once you make an offer on a home, your agent will prepare a purchase offer. Take the time to read it carefully so you’ll be aware of the purchase price, earnest money deposit, down payment, loan amount, closing date, and any contingencies.

 

Your Stone House Properties real estate agent has a solid track record of guiding homebuyers through the process of buying a home. And not just any home—a home in the Berkshires. Whether you’re new to the area or a current resident, a Stone House Properties agent is an invaluable asset who can keep your home search organized and on track. Contact us today to start your Berkshires home search!